Hay, straw, or like cutting knife.



PATENTED JULY 21, 1908.

R. JONES. HAY, STRAW, 0R LIKE CUTTING KNIFE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.17.1906.

RICHARD JONES, OF PENMAENMAWR, ENGLAND.

HAY, STRAW, OR LIKE CUTTING KNIFE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented-Tuly 21,,1908.

Application filed March 17, 1906. Serial No. 306,627.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD J ONES, a subj ect of the King of England,residing at Penmaenmawr, Carnarvonshire, North Wales, England, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Hay, Straw, or Like Cuttinggnives, of which the following is a specificaion.

This invention has reference to hand knives for cutting hay, straw, orthe like, in the stack; and the invention has primarily for its objectand effect, to provide an improved knife, by which it can be used, andthe hay or straw cut, with less labor, and at a more rapid rate; and atthe same time, among other things, to provide a light and strong tool.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichFigures 1 and 2 are side elevations, showing knives of different sizesaccording to the invention; and Fig. 3 is a plan in section of a knife.

The invention will be described with the aid ofthese drawings.

In the drawings a generally designates the shank of the knife; and e theblade. The shank a, which say is of steel, may be of about half an inchsquarethis being sufficient; and from the tip of the blade to the handleor top of the shank, in the larger knives, it may be about three feet,while in smaller ones, it may be about two feet. The blade 6 is disposed at the base or lower end of the shank a, and may be secured in itin any known suitable way. The blade is inclined from the bottom,beginning at a sharp point there, and extends outwards towards its upperpart, at a relatively quick inclination.

I have found that the depth of blade between the point, and the upperangle j, which is the end of the cutting part, may be conveniently about12 inches; while thewidth from the shank to the upper edge f in thehorizontal plane, may be about 6 inches in the larger knives, and about5 inches in the smaller ones. Between the lower tip or point, and thewidest point of the cutting edgethe point f--it has two portions g,slightly upwardly inclined, and forming cutting teeth, and giving theknife a general irregular cutting edge. Instead of two projecting partsg,- there may be only one. The portion of the edge between these outwardteeth or projecting parts 9, is also inclined outwards as it extendsupward. Thus the whole edge from the sharp point at the bottom, to theuppermost angle or point f is a cutting edge. The first outwardprojection g is about half the vertical height between the tip or pointof the blade, and the point f. Between this point f and the shank, the

blade extends full backtowards the shank,

at a sharp angle.

The relative proportions and positions of the different parts of thecutting edge of the blade shown in the drawings, give very satisfactoryresults; but the invention is not restricted to the exact dimensionsgiven.

The handle I) is parallel with the plane of the blade, and projects ontoone side of the shank; and on the side opposite the blade, it may belonger than the other side, that is, on one side, the handle is short,and on the other, relatively long, as shown in the drawings.

The longer knife herein described is adapted mainly to be used forcutting when in a standing position; and the shorter one is for cuttingwhen on the knees. Further, according to this invention, in some cases,as shown in Fig. 1, there is employed a sliding sleeve device 0, adaptedto move up and down on the shank, and having an angular projecting partbelow, in the form of a short arm, as shown. The device or gage may besuitably adjusted and held in position, by a clamped screw 0 or in anyother suitable way. By this means, the depth for cutting can beregulated and adjusted, as the device forms a stop when the knife ispressed down, and reaches the solid and uncut hay or material. Thus thedepth of the truss can be gaged, and all out exactly the same depth.

The knife according to this invention is lighter than the usual type ofknife, and as stated, it can be used with less labor, and cuts morereadily and rapidly; and it can be easily sharpened when blunt in theusual way, that is, with the usual sharpening stone.

What is claimed is z- A knife for the purpose described, having a bladewith its point substantially in the axial line of the shank, the saidblade having its cutting edge curving laterally from the point andlongitudinally, the cutting edge intermediate of its length beingprovided with teeth whose cutting edges extend outwardly and upwardly ata slight angle to a line name to this specification in the presence ofdrawn at right alrolgles to the shank and the two subscribing Witnesses.upper part 0 the lade extending at an angle i to the shank, and theblade tapering from the RICHARD JONES 5 shank to the cutting edgesubstantially as de- Witnesses:

scribed S. GOODALL,

In testimony whereof I have signed my W. HARRISON.

